The leaders of Mahiliou regional organization of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) were Siarhei Famin and Iury Novikau weren’t allowed to hold a meeting and a picket. ‘Mahiliou authorities use the administrative resource’, stated Mr. Novikau in his interview with BelaPAN. ‘We consider their answer as a simple come-off and state that the authorities use different means to hinder our agitation campaign’.

S.Famin, in his turn, said that the authorities ‘sabotage the election to local deputy soviets, especially in respect to oppositional candidates’.

In the answer that was signed by Fiodar Mikheienka, deputy chair of Mahiliou city executive committee, it is stated that a revision of the aims of the planned measures is necessary for getting permission because these aims must conform to the election topics.

The candidates intended to hold the meeting and the picket on 6 and 12 January respectively. The main aims were to meet with electors, draw their attention and discuss local and national problems.